Coating apparatus



May 28, 1935. s. c. PORTER comma APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1951 ilIEi a S. C. PORTER COATING APPARATUS May 28, 1935.

Filed Aug. 26, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllllll llllll |l|||||4l|l| INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

May 28, 1935. s. c. PORTER COATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1961 3 SheetsQheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

I i 3? I f ILL 19' .7 BY

Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COATING APPARATUS Application August 26, 1931, Serial No. 559,468

20 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for and process of coating one or more faces of blocks, including blocks or bodies made from clay or other material such as bricks, tiles and slabs. The apparatus herein disclosed is constructed to spray on surfaces liquid materials, including materials known as glazes. In the use of the term bricks I wish to be understood as comprehending other products, including other products formed from clay.

The apparatus and process herein disclosed has been successfully used by me to manufacture building and paving bricks one surface of which has been glazed or enameled, with or without the application of a slip.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this type for rapidly and uniformly coating or spraying certain surfaces of bricks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved process of coating with a glaze one or more faces of bricks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus adapted to apply to the face or faces of a brick an enamel coat of uniform thickness.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character in which provision is made to prevent the enamel or coating material on one brick from adhering to an adjoining brick.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an apparatus of this type, improved means for spacing the bricks after they are coated and during travel thereof to the unloading station to prevent damage to the coat of material thereon while or following drying and hardening thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an apparatus of this type, an improved mounting for the spraying device, whereby uniformity of the sprayed material over the surface of the brick results.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved conveying mechanism for bricks and other like products, capable of spacing the bricks during movement thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved conveying means for bricks wherein they may be transferred from one conveyor section to another conveyor section without tipping or disaligning the bricks.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 1a. is an end elevation on the line la-la of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1, enlarged.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a spraying device, parts being broken away.

Fig. '7 is a detail view showing the means for adjusting the spraying device.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, enlarged.

In my process, the bricks A are first formed, for example, pressed out in molds in a suitable press such as shown in Letters Patent No. 1,809,601. The bricks when formed, are provided on one side with a pair of projecting lugs a th inch high), which are utilized to maintain the bricks slightly separated during spraying thereof. Next, the bricks are introduced into a kiln and burned, being subjected to a temperature of substantially 2000 degrees F. After removal from the kiln and cooling, the bricks are successively conveyed past a plurality of spaced spraying devices by which they are successively sprayed with glaze or enamel to apply thereto, with or without a slip, a" uniform coat; next, the coat is allowed to harden or set; next, the bricks are introduced into a kiln and again burned under a temperature of approximately 2000 F. to bake the glaze or enamel. When removed from the kiln and cooled, the bricks are ready for use.

In the drawings, I indicates a frame of suitable construction, preferably constructed from angles formed of sheet metal. The frame I consists of rear uprights 2, front uprights 3, transverse horizontal members 4, 5, longitudinally extending, front and rear members la, 5a, and braces 6; these parts being suitably connected by gussets and angles. The transverse members I extend beyond the front uprights 3. The front or extended ends of the members 4 are connected to the front ends of the members 5 by uprights I.

8 indicates a plurality of pans for collecting excess material supplied for application to the bricks A, and also water and cleaning material when used. The pans 8 extend from end to end of the frame I, being supported along their rear edges by the members in and at their front ends by angles whichconnect the uprights I and the members 4. Each pan 8 is provided with a drain outlet 9 for the excess material. Each outlet may be provided with a hook from which is suspended a receiver 9a forthedrainings.

III indicates rear and top walls secured to the uprights 2 and members 5 and closing the spaces between them, respectively. Illa indicates end walls at the opposite ends of the members 4a, 5a. The walls I0, I0a form with the pans 8 an enclosed space I I in which coating of the bricks takes place and from which fumes, odors and vapors may pass through exhaust flues IIa disposed at a plurality of points between the ends of the frame I.

I0 indicates a series of manifolds spaced along the rear wall I0. Each manifold consists of vertical flues connected in series, the inlet thereto being provided in the side wall of the manifold adjacent its bottom and the outlet leading to the chamber I010, which is common to all of the manifolds and connects with the flues I la.

I2 indicates a conveying means for the bricks to be coated. The conveying means preferably comprises an endless belt I2 and supporting means for its runs, a delivery conveyor I210 and a transfer mechanism I3 between the belt I2 and conveyor In, the delivery conveyor and transfer mechanism co-operating to space the bricks, as

later set forth. When found desirable, the conveying means may include a loading belt and a connection over which the bricks are moved from the loading belt to the supply belt I2. The belt I2 extends from a point beyond or in front of the inlet end of the coating space I I, that is, the right-hand end of the frame I (as viewed in Fig. 1), to the transfer mechanism I3, located beyond the exit end of the coating space. The upper run I 2a of the belt extends through the coating space II, openings Illa for the conveying means and the bricks A being formed in the walls Illa, and moves the bricks therethrough and discharges them successively on to the transfer mechanism I3. The delivery end of the belt I2 runs around a relatively large pulley or drum I4, which is secured to a driven shaft IS. The opposite end of the belt I2 runs around a loose pulley I22 of suitable construction and supported in any desired manner. The bricks A may be laid directly on the belt run In but by preference. I provide a separate, endless belt (not shown) on which the fired bricks are loaded and which delivers the bricks across a transfer plate (not shown) onto the belt run I2a. The lower run I2b of the belt I2 preferably extends below the pans 8, exterior to the space II, being supported at spaced points by rollers I 6, loosely rotating on shafts which are supported by pairs of angles l1.

The angles I1 are secured to brackets I8, one supported by each upright 3. The upper run In of the belt is supported throughout its lengths by a plurality of closely related rollers I9, disposed in a horizontal plane, whereby the bricks are conveyed in a predetermined relation to the spraying devices. The rollers I9 loosely rotate on shafts 20, which are supported by and connected at their opposite ends to angles 2|; for this purpose, the end portions of each shaft are threaded and extend through elongated openings 2I:c formed in the vertical members 2Ia of the angles.2l and nuts on each shaft end portion are tightened against the opposite faces of the members 2Ia. By elongating the shaft openings, the shafts may be adjusted and also readily removed.

The angles 2I are secured together by cross pieces 22 and rest on the horizontal members 4.

23 indicates a shield extending along each angle -2I for closing the space between it and the adjacent roll-er ends. The shield is preferably formed in sections. Each shield comprises a sheet metal strip having a main portion 23a clamped to the outer face of the adjacent angle member 2Ia, an inturned horizontal portion' 23b substantially closing the space between 2Ia and roll I9 and an up-turned portion 230 arranged to protect or guard the belt. As the bricks overhang the rollers at either side, the shields 23 co-operate with the bricks to protect the bearings for the rollers. The main portion 23a of each shield is formed on its lower edge with inwardly extending recesses through which the adjacent ends of the shafts 20 extend, so that the outer nuts 20a may clamp the shield to the angle 2|.

- 24 indicates a guard disposed in front of the conveying means I2 and extending to a point above the bricks. The guard 24 may comprise a series of plates. Above the guard 24 the space I I is open to permit free inspection of the bricks and access to the spraying devices.

25 indicates a series of spraying devices for spraying the material on the upper faces of the bricks. 26 indicates a series of spraying devices for spraying the material on the end faces of the bricks. 2'! indicates a container for the material preferably consisting of liquid enamel or glaze. Thematerial may be white or of any desired color and mixed to the desired consistency. The container 21 has connected to its upper portion an air pressure supply conduit or pipe 28, whereby the material is supplied to the spraying devices under pressure through a pipe 29, which supply is regulated as desired. The container 21 is also provided with a stirrer operated by an air motor 30, which is supplied with air under pressure by a branch pipe 30a.

While two faces of each brick may be simultaneously sprayed, as it moves through the space I I, it is the practice to spray but one face thereof, as ordinarily one face of the brick when in use is exposed. In the accompanying drawings I have shown a series of upright rods 3| adapted to support one series of spraying devices, each indicated at 25, vertically when spraying the top faces of the bricks and a series of upright rods 32 adapted to support another series of spraying devices 26 when spraying the end or side faces thereof, only one thereof being shown in dotted lines. When it is the practice to spray only one face of a brick at a time, the devices25 may be mounted from the rods 3I or positioned on the rods 32 when the ends of the bricks are to be sprayed. Each series of rods are disposed in a common plane and support the spraying devices in spaced relation, whereby the devices successively spray the material on the bricks as the latter move in relation thereto. Preferably each supporting rod is disposed substantially midway between two adjoining uprights I, so that free access may be had to the spraying device supported by the rod.

The spraying devices are similar in construction so that the description of one will suflice for the remainder thereof. Each spraying device may be of any desired construction, but preferably consists of a fitting 33 having a fluid nozzle 34 controlled by a needle valve 35. The valve 35 is provided with a piston 36 acted upon by air under pressure, the air being supplied to a nipple 31 by a pipe 38. The needle valve is provided with an adjusting screw 39.

The coating or spraying material is supplied to a nipple by a pipe H. The pipes M are connected to a supply pipe 42, which is connected to the pipe 29 leading from the container 21. The atomizing air pressure is supplied by a pipe 43 connected to a nipple 44. The pressure of air for atomizing the material may be regulated by an air regulator, but is preferably regulated by an adjustable air valve 45 provided on the fitting 33. The width of the spray issuing from the nozzle is regulated by turning a ring 46.

The nozzle above referred to is of standard construction, for which reason further detail description thereof will not be necessary.

The pipes 38 and 43 are connected to a supply pipe 41, and this pipe and the pipe 28 may be connected to a main supply pipe 48. The pipe 48 and each branch pipe may be provided with a pressure gage. The connection between the pipe 41 and each of the pipes 38 and 43 may be provided with a suitable cut-off; also between the pipe 42 and each pipe 4| I provide a suitable cutoff.

Each fitting 33 is provided with an integral portion forming a knuckle 49 which is adjustable about a shaft. The shaft comprises a bolt 50 threaded into the body portion of a clamp 5I. The clamp 5I is provided with a split collar 52, fitting the adjacent rod 3|, the side portions of the collar being clamped to the rod by a bolt and nut 53.

The receiving end of the delivery conveyor I2a: runs about a pulley 54 which is fixed to a driven shaft 55. Its upper run is preferably supported by a platform 56. The shafts I5 and 55 are mounted on pillow blocks I5a, 55a, respectively, supported on an auxiliary frame 51, which is pref erably connected to the frame I.

The shafts I5 and 55 are preferably driven by the following mechanism: 58 indicates a motor transmitting power through a suitable gear reduction in a gear box 59 to drive a shaft 69. The shaft 60 has fixed to it a sprocket 6| for a chain 62 which engages and drives a relatively large sprocket 63. The sprocket 63 is fixed to the shaft 55. 64 indicates a relatively small sprocket fixed to the shaft 55 and engaged by a chain 65. The chain 65 in turn engages a relatively large sprocket 56, which is fixed to the shaft I5, whereby the latter is driven. From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the belt I21: travels at a faster rate of speed than the belt I2, for reasons which will be later set forth. It will also be understood that the belt I2 is driven by the shaft (55) which drives the belt I21, so that in the event the speed of the shaft 55 is increased or decreased, an increase or decrease in speed of the belt I2, proportioned to the speed ratio between the belts, will result.

The transfer mechanism I3 consists of a base or support 51 bridging the space between the adjacent ends of the belts I2, 12m, and carrying a pair of inner or receiving guides 68 and an outer or delivery guide 69. The base comprises a plate that is somewhat wider, at its outer end, than the belt I21: and its central inner portion is cut away so that the resulting side portions 61a may be disposed at either side of the belt I2. The outer end portion of the plate 61 is formed with a plurality of openings 61' through which sand, grit and dust may escape.

As shown in Figs. 1a, 2, and 5, the bricks A overhang either side of the belt I2 so as to engage the receiving guides 68, as the belt is guided by its pulley I4. The inner ends of the guides 68 are supported by the base portions 61a at either side of the belt I2 and substantially in the plane of its run I2a, so that as the belt recedes from this plane, in running around the pulley I4, the bricks successively engage the guides 63 and are slid there along by the rearward bricks, which are being moved forwardly by the belt I2. The guide 69 is disposed beyond the point of engagement of the belt run I2a with the drum or pulley I4 and is arranged in a vertical plane between the guides 68. The guide 69 extends from a point inwardly of the outer ends of the guides 68 beyond such ends and to the belt I2:c, its free end being parallel to the belt surface and terminating in close relation thereto to insure engagement of the lower forward edge of each brick with the belt immediately after it passes the end of the guide.

As above described, it will be seen that the guides 68 terminate at points inwardly of the outer end of the guide 69, so that each brick, as it slides to the belt I2:c, is supported midway its ends only. The guides 68, 69, comprise fiat sheet metal strips, their overlapping portions being substantially in the same plane, so that the bricks may engage the guide 69 while sliding on the guides 68. The guides 68 may be rigidly secured to the base 81. The guide 69 is adjustable laterally thereon between the guides 68 in either direction. By providing guides arranged as above described, the bricks duringdelivery to the conveyor I2a: are supported along their central portions only, which permits the opposite end portions of each brick to simultaneously slide or move intoengagement with the belt I2m, hence the danger of the latter twisting the bricks or moving one end ahead of the other end is avoided. In other words, by supporting the bricks in the manner above set forth, the end portions remain unsupported and are free to be simultaneously engaged by the belt I2a:, and whatever friction or drag develops between each brick and the guide 69 is efiective on the brick as a unit and does not create unbalanced conditions between the end portions thereof. Hence, the bricks successively pass from the transfer mechanism I3 to the belt I22: without danger of being tipped or disaligned and permits the speed of the belt I23: to be regulated in relation to the efieotive application of the glaze, whereby maximum capacity of the apparatus may be attained. As already set forth the belt I211: travels faster than the belt I2; accordingly, upon the delivery of each brick A to the belt I2.r, it is spaced from the preceding brick, so that the bricks during their travel on the belt I20: are in spaced relation. This spacing permits the enamel on each brick to dry or set independently of adjoining bricks. It also makes each brick accessible so that any thereof may be freely removed in the event some defect therein or its coat is found to be present.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the upper run of the belt I21: is in a plane below the plane of the run I2a, and by preference the guides 68, 69, are curved downwardly from the plane of the latter run, the delivery end portion of the guide 68 terminating at an angle to the plane of the belt I2:r, so that the lower forward edge of each brick will engage the belt immediately it leaves the guide 69. The curvature of the guide 69 as above set forth also serves to separate the upper edges of the bricks, so that when the belt I2x engages the forwardmost brick. danger of its upper, rearward edge engaging the next rearward brick is eliminated.

any appreciable drying of the enamel.

The transfer mechanism I3 is preferably arranged relatively close to the spraying devices, so as to effect spacing of the bricks prior to In this arrangement, the curvature of the guide is advantageous as it spaces the upper edges of adjoining bricks, so that if any coating material on adjoining bricks adheres together, it is free to separate without leaving ragged edges on the coat on either brick. The downward curving of the guides 68, 69, is also advantageous as the weight of the bricks tends to induce gravitation thereof onto the belt and relieves pressure on the bricks being moved forward by the belt I! and reduces friction and resulting wear on portions of the guide and belt surface which would otherwise be present if the guides 68, 68, were horizontally disposed and the forwardly moving' bricks on the belt l2 were relied upon entirely to move the bricks thereover.

The guide 69 is relatively wide so as to supsupport the bricks with their end portions out of engagement with the base 6'! after these end portions leave the guides 68. The guide 69 is adjusted laterally so as to support the bricks midway their opposite ends to insure their horizontality while passing to the belt I23. To permit of adjustment of the guide 69, it lies flat on the base 61 and may slide thereon laterally in either direction, its inner end being provided with a hook 10 which engages over the edge ll of the cut-away.

In order that anoperative while standing at the front of the apparatus may readily inspect the inner edges of the bricks as well as those edges nearest to him to determine whether the spraying devices are operating properly, I provide on the rear side of the belt l2, beyond the frame I, a suitable mirror 12, which may be supported in any desired manner.

In operation of' my improved apparatus, the fired bricks are set on the loading portion of the conveyor run I 2a, or on a loading conveyor associated therewith, in side by side relation with the lugs a on one brick engaging the opposed side of the next brick, the side by side relation of the bricks being shown in Fig. 3. The lugs a are advantageously used in connection with the spraying devices since they operate as guides, thereby permitting the operative to lay the bricks together to insure maximum loading capacity at the same time positioned with their upper edges predetermined related, that is, separated willciently to normally preclude the coat on one brick adhering to the coat on an adjoining brick and sufiiciently close to preclude the spraying material being applied to the side faces of the bricks, which faces would have to be later scraped. As the bricks pass through the space or chamber ll, their upper faces. are successively sprayed at spaced points with a suitable liquid glaze and while the glaze is in a liquid condition and during travel of the bricks to the unloading station, they are automatically spaced or separated, whereby danger of the glaze on one brick adhering to the glaze on an adjoining brick or by reason of such adherence the glaze running down the adjacent faces of the bricks, is entirely eliminated. In my process and by the use of my apparatus, the surfaces of the bricks do not have to be provided with a slip; also, the glaze is applied in such manner that the coat on the brick surface is uniform; also waste due to spraying of excess material and running of the glaze over the edges of the sprayed surfaces is avoided. The

capacity of the machine herein disclosed in actual use is approximately twenty-eight thousand bricks per day.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely difi'ering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of conveying means for supporting bricks in upright position on their side faces in side by side spaced parallel relation and conveying them in such position from a loading station to an unloading station, said conveying means comprising a main section, a delivery section consisting of a driven endless belt and stationary transfer devices disposed between said sections and over which the bricks slide from said main section to said delivery section, and means for spraying the briclm while moving along said main section.

' 2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of conveying means for supporting bricks in upright position on their side faces in side by side spaced parallel relation and conveying them in such position from a loading station to an unloading station, said conveying means comprising a main section, a delivery section consisting of a-driven endless belt and stationary transfer devices disposed between said sections and over which the bricks slide from said main section to said delivery section, and means for spraying the bricks while moving along said main section, said belt serving to move the bricks at a faster speed than said main section and co-operating with said transfer devices to space the bricks.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for treating the surfaces of bricks, conveying means for supporting bricks in upright position on their side faces in side by side spaced parallel relation and conveying them in such position relative to said treating means, a belt, means for driving, said belt to move the bricks at a speed faster than they are moved by said conveying means, and stationary transferdevices over which the bricks slide, leading from said conveying means to said belt, said belt cooperating with said transfer devices to increase the spacing between the bricks in passing to said belt.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for treating the surfaces of bricks, conveying means for moving bricks in side by side relation relative to said treating means, a belt, means for driving said belt to move the bricks at a speed faster than they are moved by said conveying means, and transfer devices leading from said conveying means to said belt, said transfer devices comprising a pair of spaced guides onto which the bricks are moved and an intermediate guide extending beyond said spaced guides and extending to said belt.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for treating the surfaces of bricks, conveying means for moving bricks in side by side relation relative to said treating means, a belt having its upper run disposed in a plane below said conveying means, means for driving said belt to move the bricks at a speed faster than they are moved by said conveying means, a pair of spaced guides having their inner ends disposed at opposite sides and in the plane of said conveying means, and an intermediate guide having its inner portion disposed between and in the plane of the outer portions of said spaced guides and extending beyond the latter and terminating in close relation to the surface of said belt, the outer portion of said intermediate guide being curved downwardly to direct the lower forward edge of each brick at an angle to said belt.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for treating bricks with surfacing material, conveying means for moving bricks in side by side relation relative to said treating means, the end portions of the bricks extending beyond said conveying means, shields at either side of said conveying means and cooperating with the end portions of the bricks to prevent the treating'material contacting with said conveying means, a delivery belt beyond said conveying means, and devices for transferring the bricks from said conveying means to said belt, said devices including guides engaging the end portions of the bricks as they are disengaged by said conveying means.

'7. The herein disclosed process of applying a glaze to one face of bricks having lugs on one side, which consists in loading the bricks on their sides in upright position in side by side relation separated by the lugs thereon on a conveying means, then moving the bricks relative to a plurality of spraying devices to spray a plurality of coats of the glaze on the corresponding faces of the bricks, and spacing the bricks and delivering them to an unloading station, while maintaining them in an upright position during their movement to the unloading station.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a chamber, a spraying device in said chamber, an endless conveyor having its upper run extending through said chamber and arranged to support bricks in upright position on their side faces in side by side spaced parallel relation to move them past said device, an endless conveyor for delivering the bricks to an unloading station, means for driving said conveyors, and stationary means between said conveyors for guiding the bricks onto said delivery conveyor at an angle to its surface said delivery conveyor being driven faster than the first mentioned conveyor and co-operating with said stationary guide means to increase the spacing between the bricks while maintaining them upright and in parallel relation.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a device for spraying liquid material, conveyor means for supporting bricks in side by side relation and moving them past said device, an endless delivery conveyor, transfer means leading from said conveying means to said conveyor, said transfer means terminating in a guide of less width than the length of the bricks, to support the bricks intermediate theirends as they move into engagement with said conveyor.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a liquid applying device, an endless belt for supporting bricks in upright position on their side faces in side by side relation and moving them relative to said device, the bricks extending beyond the opposite sides of said belt, guides at either side of said belt adjacent its discharge end arranged to be engaged by the end portions of the bricks as said belt engages its supporting pulley, a belt having a rate of travel faster than said first mentioned belt, and a stationary guide arranged to be engaged by the central portions of the bricks as they leave said first mentioned guides and to support the central portions of the bricks being moved onto said guides by the rearward bricks on said first mentioned belt, said last mentioned belt being arranged to receive the bricks from the last mentioned guide and effect spacing of the bricks while maintaining them in upright position.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a liquid applying device, an endless driven belt for moving bricks in side by side relation relative to said device, a driven belt having a rate of travel faster than said first mentioned belt and disposed in a plane below said first mentioned belt, and stationary guide means,

over which the bricks slide from the delivery end of said first mentioned belt to the last mentioned belt, the bricks being moved onto said guide means by the forwardly moving bricks on said first mentioned belt and said guide means being curved downwardly.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of conveying means for bricks, means for spraying the bricks while moving along said conveying means, a delivery belt disposed in a plane below said conveying means, and stationary transfer devices over which the bricks slide, disposed between the delivery end of said conveying means and the receiving end of said belt and arranged to separate the upper ends of the bricks as they slide thereover and to effect contact of the front lower edges of the bricks with said belt, said transfer devices terminating in a single guide and arranged to support each brick intermediate its ends, whereby the end portions of the brick may simultaneously engage the said belt.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of conveying means for bricks, means for spraying the bricks while moving along said conveying means, a delivery belt disposed in a plane below said conveying means, and stationary transfer devices over which the bricks slide, disposed between the delivery end of said conveying means and the receiving end of said belt and arranged to separate the upper ends of the bricks as they slide thereover and to effect contact of the front lower edges of the bricks with said belt, said transfer devices terminating in a single guide arranged to be adjusted laterally and adapted to support each brick intermediate its ends, whereby the end portions of the brick may simultaneously engage the said belt.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a driven belt adapted to support bricks with their end portions extending beyond the side edges of the belt, a delivery belt, means for spraying the bricks while being moved by said driven belt, stationary transfer devices over which the bricks slide, disposed between the discharge end of said driven belt and the receiving end of said delivery belt, said devices comprising a pair of spaced guides arranged to engage the end portions of the bricks as they disengage said driven belt and a guide disposed intermediate said spaced guides arranged to engage the intermediate portions of the bricks and deliver them to said delivery belt, said spaced guides terminating at a point remote from said delivery belt, whereby the end portions of the bricks are free to engage therewith.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a driven belt adapted to support bricks with their end portions extending beyond the side edges of the belt, a delivery belt, means for spraying the bricks while being moved by said driven belt, stationary transfer devices over which the bricks slide, disposed between the discharge end of said driven belt and the receiving endof said delivery belt, said devices comprising a pair of spaced guides arranged to engage the end portions of the bricks as they disengage said driven belt and a guide disposed intermediate said spaced guides arranged to engage the intermediate portion of the bricks and deliver them to said delivery belt, said spaced guides terminating at a point remote from said delivery belt, whereby the end portions of the bricks are free to engage therewith, said delivery belt being disposed in a plane below the plane of said driven belt and said guides being curved downwardly to separate the bricks at their upper ends.

'and transfer devices disposed between the discharge end of said first mentioned belt and the receiving end of said delivery belt and arranged to permit the bricks to slide thereover, said devices being curved and arranged to separate the upper edges of the bricks while moving thereover, and to deliver the bricks at an angle to said delivery belt, whereby their lower forward edges make first contact therewith.

17. In apparatus for spraying the side walls or end walls of bricks, the combination of a driven belt on which the bricks are supported in upright position in substantially face to face parallel relation, spaced devices for spraying glaze on exposed walls of said bricks, a driven delivery belt having a speed greater than the speed of said first mentioned belt, and stationary guides leading from the discharge end of said first men'- tioned belt to the receiving end of said delivery belt and arranged to deliver the bricks thereto without changing their position or parallel relation.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of spaced spraying devices, a conveyor for supporting bricks parallel to each other in upright position and moving them relative to said devices, means between the faces of the bricks for spacing them in a predetermined relation, a delivery conveyor, and means for transferring the bricks from said first mentioned conveyor to said delivery conveyor while maintaining them parallel and in upright position, said transferring means and said delivery conveyor co-operating to separate the bricks, whereby they may be handled.

19. In a machine for-coating portions of bricks having spacers on corresponding faces thereof, the combination ofv sectional conveying means comprising a main portion, on which the bricks are set in upright position with one face of each brick in engagement with the spacers on the adjoining brick to relate the faces of the brick in parallel spaced relation, a delivery portion from which the bricks are removed for firing and guide means for the bricks between said' main and delivery portions, means for spraying the exposed sides of the bricks as they are moved by said main portion, and means for driving said main portion at one speed and said delivery portion at a relatively faster speed, said delivery portion and said guide means serving to maintain the bricks upright and parallel and to increase the spacing between the bricks as they are delivered to said delivery portion.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for spraying I ceramic bodies, a relatively narrow endless belt on which the bodies are positioned with their opposite end portions extending beyond the sides of said belt, a second endless belt, means for driving said first mentioned belt at one speed and said last mentioned belt at a relatively faster speed, and guide means between the discharge end of said first mentioned belt and the receiving end of said last mentioned belt, said guide means including a pair of guide elements disposed upon opposite sides of said first mentioned belt adjacent the discharge end of its active run and arranged substantially in the plane thereof to engage the end portions of said bodies and support the latter as the active run of said belt recedes.

SIDNEY C. PORTER. 

